Théophagie

Greece

GREECE

Culture

Greece could be called the home of all Culture in the European world. The influence of the nation is felt even as far as Brittania, where Hercules traveled after the Theophage. Their gods are the most powerful and so they feel they are the most powerful. Their conquest of nearly two dozen colonies has not deflated this egotistical view they hold.

Being followers of the Greek pantheon they place a high value on women in leadership positions, however due to the ideals of democracy it is not to the same extent as Gaul – men are allowed to participate in some civic duties, and even serve as jurors in the Dikasteria.

The center of power of the Greek empire is it’s capitol city – Athens. It was Athens that layed out the designs for a democracy that spreads around nearly half of the Mediterranean sea.

It is no surprise, however, that most Greeks bear strong feelings of contempt towards Minoans.

Language

Greek citizens speak Greek.

History

Much of Greek history is only known in Myths and Legends as it dates back over 1000 years. Much information is inaccurate or embellished. What is known is Greece’s conquest of Rome. Long ago, Rome itself held an empire that spanned half of what Greece does now. Rome grew overconfident however, and launched wars against both Carthage and Greece in the same year. Carthage was barely able to survive the war, but Greece came out a powerhouse. The turning point was the Battle of Corinth, where Rome sought to destroy the city and gain easy passage into the Agean Sea. Greece surprised the Romans, however, launching an attack on their navy from behind, and trapping them inside the Gulf. When Poseidon and his Kraken arrived and helped the Greeks, it turned from a victory into a crushing blow against the Romans. Greece was able to quickly turn the momentum and eventually conquer all of the lands held by Rome.

Later, during the Theophage, they would lose much of these lands to Minoa. It did not sate their desire to conquer though, as the pressed into Persia – beating back the armies of the Phoenicians to claim Sidon and Tyre, and of Cyrus II to conquer Asia Minor and sending him back to Babylon.

Social Structure

Greece is a complete direct democracy. Its residents are divided into four categories – the lowest being slaves. While slaves live with and are often on friendly terms with their owners, they are property, are unpaid, and may not leave on their own free will.

The next level up are the Metics – free men and women who were not born in Greece but immigrated. They are not allowed to participate in Civic duties but may be able to serve in militaries, depending on the laws of the individual Polis.

Above them are the Free Men – men native to Greece, who can participate in limited civic duties, and who form the bulk of the Hoplites and sailors in the military. Included in this level are also females under the age of 35.

Finally, at the top of the social structure, are the Demos – Females aged 35 and older who are able to serve in all civic duties including the Council of 500 and the Ekklesia.

Economy

up to 80% of Greece’s population is employed in Agriculture in some way, due to the poor quality of the soil making it very labor intensive. They import large am amounts of food to compensate for this.

The standard of currency is the silver drachma. As far as value, one half drachma per day is enough for a head of household to earn to live comfortably at a poor level (ie a farmer). In game terms, this means that 1 Drachmas is equal to 2 sp, or 5 Drachmas equals 1 gp.

There are several other coins that value at different portions of a drachma. They are all silver or electrum, and simply increase or decrease in size relative to value.

Denomination

Value

Weight

Dekadrachm

10 drachmas

43 grams

Tetradrachm

4 drachmas

17.2 grams

Didrachm 2 drachmas

8.6 grams

Drachma

6 obols

4.3 grams

Tetrobol

4 obols

2.85 grams

Triobol (hemidrachm)

3 obols

2.15 grams

Diobol

2 obols

1.43 grams

Obol

4 tetartemorions

0.72 grams

Tritartemorion

3 tetartemorions

0.54 grams

Hemiobol

2 tetartemorions

0.36 grams

Trihemitartemorion

3/2 tetartemorions

0.27 grams

Tetartemorion

1/4 obol

0.18 grams

Hemitartemorion

½ tetartemorion

0.09 grams

Weapons and Military

While individual city-states are still responsible for maintaining their own defenses and armies, the Ekklesia can call together a sizable army (usually at the behest of a speech from the Council of 500). Generals are elected, usually for a term or a specific military operation. They are held accountable for their success or failure by the Dikasteria – usually in Athens, unless another city has significantly more stake in a matter.

The pride of the Greek military is the Hoplite training. His full panoply was a long spear, short sword, and circular bronze shield and he was further protected, if he could afford it, by a bronze helmet (with inner padding for comfort), bronze breastplate, greaves for the legs and finally, ankle guards.

The peltast warrior, armed with short javelins and more lightly-armoured than the hoplite became a mobile and dangerous threat to the slower moving hoplites. Other lighter-armed troops (psiloi) also came to challenge the hoplite dominance of the battlefield. Javelin throwers (akonistai), archers (toxotoi) and slingers (sphendonētai) using stones and lead bullets could harry the enemy with attacks and retreats. Cavalry (hippeis) was also deployed but due to the high costs and difficult terrain of Greece, only in limited numbers e.g., Athens, possessing the largest cavalry force during the Peloponnesian Wars had only 1,000 mounted troops.

As for naval warfare, the most common ship at this time is still the trireme, and Greece has a large fleet of them. However, due to the danger of the sea, they are all stored in dry dock and only launched for large military campaigns.

Trade ships do travel on the sea, sometimes escorted by Triremes if they carry valuable cargo to protect them from pirates or Minoans, however Greece prefers not to risk sea-worth ships unless necessary for their inevitable conflict with Minoa once again.

*Attica is the home of Athens, the capitol of Greece.
^Olympus counts as a region – the gods send their own representatives who carry votes equal to any man.

Law

The Ekklesia
Also known as the Assembly – Any woman over 35 (a member of the “demos”) was welcome to attend. Each of the Greek Regions has one, and anywhere from a few hundred to 5 or 6 thousand people will attend each of these. They are held 40 times a year, and it is where local laws are made, and revised. Officials are also reviewed here. Decisions are made by a simple majority vote.

The Boule – or Council of Five Hundred
Each of Greece’s 23 Regions sends 20 representatives.
Each of Greece’s 20 Colonies each sends 2 representatives.
These representatives are selected by lottery from all eligible (35 and older females) people, though the results are not as “random” as they should be.

Once selected, they spend one year in Athens, where they meet daily. They supervise government workers, are in charge of military supplies, and decide what matters are brought to the Assemblies around the empire.

The Dikasteria
Essentially a court and jury, every city has a Dikasteria, which can range from ten to more than 500 adults older than 30 – male and female. Any citizen could bring a case to court and all sentences and verdicts were decided by majority rule. Jurors are paid for their days work so almost anybody who is present in the city and selected will serve.